As the holidays approach, many home cooks start planning their holiday meals. An essential part of most holiday meals is the stuffing or dressing, which soaks up the delicious flavors from the cooked turkey or chicken. When deciding how much stuffing to make, one of the most common questions is: how many people does 1 pound of stuffing feed?
Quick Answer
As a general rule of thumb, 1 pound of cooked stuffing will feed about 4-6 people as a side dish. However, the exact number can vary depending on how you prepare the stuffing, how much other food is served, and the appetites of your guests.
Stuffing Serving Size Per Person
When served as a side dish, a typical serving size of stuffing is around 1⁄2 cup. Here are some general guidelines for how much cooked stuffing to prepare per person:
- 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup for children
- 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup for women
- 3⁄4 to 1 cup for men
These serving sizes are only estimates, as appetites vary widely, especially during the holidays. It’s better to have too much stuffing than not enough!
How Much Stuffing Per Pound
The amount of cooked stuffing that 1 pound yields depends on a few factors:
- Ingredients – Bread-based stuffing expands more than rice, quinoa, or other grain-based recipes.
- Cooking method – Stovetop stuffing yields more than baking in a dish.
- Preparation – Loose, fluffy stuffing takes up more volume than dense, packed stuffing.
On average, 1 pound of raw stuffing yields about 8 to 10 cups of cooked stuffing. Here is a rough estimate of how much cooked stuffing you get per pound:
| Stuffing Type | Cooked Stuffing Yield Per Pound |
|---|---|
| Bread-based | 8-10 cups |
| Rice | 6-8 cups |
| Quinoa | 6-8 cups |
| Chestnut | 5-7 cups |
How Many People 1 Pound Feeds
Based on typical serving sizes and yield per pound, here is a rough estimate of how many people 1 pound of stuffing will serve:
- Bread stuffing – 4 to 6 people
- Rice stuffing – 3 to 5 people
- Quinoa stuffing – 3 to 5 people
- Chestnut stuffing – 2 to 4 people
So if you’re feeding a crowd, you’ll need multiple pounds of stuffing. For 10 people, plan on making 2 to 3 pounds of stuffing.
Tips for Calculating How Much to Make
Here are some tips to help you calculate exactly how much stuffing to make for your holiday meal:
- Count the number of guests you plan to serve.
- Figure about 1⁄2 to 1 cup stuffing per person.
- Multiply the number of servings by cups per serving.
- Divide by the number of cups your recipe yields per pound.
- Round up to allow for second helpings.
For example, for 8 guests allowing 3⁄4 cup per person, you need 8 x 3⁄4 = 6 cups. If your bread stuffing yields 10 cups per pound, you’ll need about 3⁄4 to 1 pound of raw stuffing.
Other Factors That Affect Amount
A few other things to keep in mind when figuring how much stuffing to make include:
- Other dishes – If serving multiple starchy sides like mashed potatoes or rolls, you may need less stuffing per person.
- Leftovers – It’s easy to reheat extra stuffing, so make extra to save yourself time later.
- Serving style – Allow more if serving stuffing at the table instead of already plated.
- Appetites – Adjust amounts based on the demographics of your diners – men, women, kids, etc.
Conclusion
In summary, 1 pound of cooked stuffing will generally feed about 4-6 people as a side dish. However, the exact amount depends on several factors like the stuffing recipe, serving sizes, and number of guests. The best way to ensure you have enough is to calculate servings based on expected portions and the yield of your specific recipe. Having a little extra stuffing on hand is usually better than running out too soon!